Controller Wendy Greuel got one enormous assist from former basketball icon Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, that fueled her campaign for mayor of Los Angeles.

“The Black community helped elect James Hahn and Antonio Villraigosa to become mayor,” said Johnson as he embraced Greuel on the outside steps of Church of God in Christ West Angeles Church on Crenshaw Blvd. last Thursday. Then he emphatically said, “And we are going to elect Wendy Greuel as mayor of Los Angeles.” The crowd then erupted in applause.

The race for mayor began right after the March primary, but the fight for the City Hall seat has officially leaped into high gear nearly two months before the voters decide on May 21.

An estimated 100 of the most influential leaders in the Black community shared Johnson’s sentiments in support of Greuel, and many of them held ‘Win Wendy’ placards above their shoulders in demonstration.

“When you can put together a group of people like this to support one candidate, then you know this whole community supports this candidate,” said Johnson. “We speak for a lot of these people who live here, all of these people standing here.

“We love this woman because she loves us. We love this woman because she’s been in our community for many-many years and the fact that she is going to get the job done.”

Johnson told Greuel that he is in her camp 100 percent and is willing to go door-to-door to make sure that she becomes the first woman mayor in history of Los Angeles.

The former Lakers’ great and global businessman represents the present and future of Black political influence, and was joined at the podium by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, John L. Mack of the Los Angeles Police Commission, Bishop Charles E. Blake of West Angelus, Watts community activist ‘Sweet’ Alice Harris and Sentinel Publisher Danny J. Bakewell Sr.

Dozens of others such as former Congresswoman Diane Watson, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, former City Councilman Dave Cunningham and an array of noted constituents have pledged to elect Greuel as the next mayor.

Bakewell preceded Johnson in speaking on behalf of Greuel and extorted the crowd to shout ‘Wendy Greuel—Wendy Greuel’ before settling into a more focused theme.

“It’s not often the Sentinel comes out to support a candidate almost two months before the election, so this shows just how important this is,” said Bakewell. “You can’t judge people by what they are doing today, you have to judge them by what they have been doing and Wendy Greuel has always been in our community and advocated for our community.”

Greuel thanked her supporters and pledged to continue her strong relationship with the Black community by ensuring their voices are heard and interests addressed if she is elected mayor.